Bee-autiful Cards! || StickerKitten 'Bee Garden'

 Hi all,

I have some cards to share today using the 'Bee Garden' collection by StickerKitten. At time of posting, Sarah will have been on Hochanda promoting her products and these first two cards are what I sent to her for use on the show, along with two A4 scrapbook layouts. I'm always happy to help out a friend and it's so exciting to make things for the telly!

You can pick up the collection HERE. < (Link)

The Bee Garden paper pad has a mixture of watercolour patterns and also kraft papers with delicate black linework and I tried to use a bit of both for my projects.

This first card is made using the kraft papers. I also used the stamp set and heat embossed the designs in gold.

This next one uses the watercolour papers. I decorated the wooden bee using Dovecraft 3D Pearl Effects. 

Finally I made a spinner card. I didn't send this in for Hochanda as the spinner didn't quite work right and I perhaps need another try. I'd never done it before so let's say I've learnt from it! 

Thanks for stopping by!
Emily xx

York || Scrapbook Layout || First Edition 'Wild Flower' || Step By Step

Hi all,

I have a pretty, watercolour-y scrapbook layout to share today using the First Edition 'Wild Flower' paper pad by Trimcraft. 

The picture is of the ruins in the Museum Gardens in York. 

Step by step:

1. Spread gesso across the centre of the page and allow to dry.
2. Scribble purple gelato or paint purple watercolour onto plastic packaging, add water and then smoosh onto the gesso.
3. Cut two strips from 12x12" paper, one 1" wide and the other 3" wide. Stick to the page, leaving a small gap in between.
4. Add a length of ribbon and a length of washi tape in the gap between the patterned paper. 
5. Print your photo at 3x4" and mount a couple of times with patterned paper. Stick down in the centre of the page.
6. Die cut several pennants from patterned paper and textured cardstock, layer and stick to the top left and bottom right of the page using a stapler. 
7. Add floral stickers and a title.
8. Finish with ink spatters, adhesive gems, buttons and flowers.

Thanks for stopping by!
Emily xx

Summer || Scrapbook Layout || OneCanoeTwo 'Hazelwood'

Hi all,

Summer is here and I have a layout to share using a very summery picture I took on a recent visit to Potteric Carr, our local nature reserve. It's a beautiful place with a huge variety of habitats and wildlife and a great place to go to get away from everything.

I mostly used the OneCanoeTwo 'Hazelwood' collection (my favourite collection ever!) for this page. 

The layout was created as part of the National Scrapbook Day challenges over on the For The Love Of Pretty Paper Facebook group, this one was to make a spring or summer themed layout.

Thanks for stopping by!
Emily xx

Blue Tit || Scrapbook Layout || StudioLight 'My Botanic Garden' || Scraplift Yourself

Hi all,

I have a scrapbook layout to share today using the StudioLight 'My Botanic Garden' collection that you can pick up from Cherish The Memory

I must admit, I cheated a bit with this - the picture is printed from Wikipedia - I tried for ages to get a decent picture of the Blue Tits in our garden but they are too far away and too fast. But, I had this idea of using a picture of the little birds with the collection so to Google I went.

This layout was created for one of the National Scrapbook Day challenges over on 'For The Love Of Pretty Paper' on Facebook. The challenge was to 'scraplift' one of your oldest or even your first scrapbook layout. Here is a pic of the new layout with the one it was scraplifted from. I made it back in 2006. In my defence, there wasn't anywhere near as many scrapbook products available and also, I was 12 years old! I really enjoyed scraplifting myself.

Thank for stopping by and I wonder if you will try scraplifting yourself too!
Emily xx

On Fleek || Scrapbook Layout || Dovecraft 'Kiss & Make Up'

Hi all,

I have a scrapbook layout to share today using the Dovecraft 'Kiss & Make Up' collection by Trimcraft.

I know it may seem narcissistic to use selfies on scrapbook layouts but this collection really lends itself to scrapping selfies.

This layout got a bit messy, I made the mistake of spattering drawing ink onto the page and it went everywhere and looks a bit messy. I'm not that happy with it but sometimes you just have to go with the flow.

I made this layout as part of the National Scrapbook Day challenges over on the 'For The Love Of Pretty Paper' group on Facebook, the challenge was to make a layout based on this sketch, designed by Laura Rumble for UK Scrap Addicts:

The challenge has ended now but there is no reason why you can't use this sketch for inspiration anyway. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily xx

Birb Watching || Scrapbook Layout

Hi all,

Here's the first of a series of blog posts that come under the umbrella of 'Emily Loves Scrapbooking Again!!'. There'll be a new layout comprised of non-design team products every Saturday for the considerable future. 

"You stopped loving scrapbooking?!" 

Well, not exactly. But I overthought every single layout I made. 

I'd love to be on a scrapbook design team so I could concentrate on scrapbooking but this is the hand I am dealt right now and I am very grateful for my current opportunities. 

Another problem for me was and is, dolla. I've finished uni and haven't worked out what I want to do with my life yet. So I'm saving what I can and that means I can't justify a scrapbook kit subscription. 

But then National Scrapbooking Day happened.....

I am a member of the 'For The Love Of Pretty Paper' UK scrapbooking group on Facebook. Over that weekend they posted 12 challenges and during the weekend and following week I completed every single one and loved it! I really enjoyed getting stuck in with my stash and not having to stick to any particular brand. I even got completely caught up with my 2017 scrapbook. 

Here is a layout I made for a 'tic-tac-toe' challenge, to pick three items from a table of nine. My choices were fussy cutting, die cut and ink spatters. 

The picture I used is of my boyfriend on a recent visit to the local nature reserve. We had heard a 'birb' (what he likes to call a small bird, it's very sweet), but couldn't see it. Here he is looking for it, camera at the ready.

To make the layout I chose to use my Heidi Swapp 'September Skies' paper pad. I picked it up a couple years ago in TKMaxx before they made the ridiculous decision to stop selling scrapbook supplies.
I fussy cut the floral paper and layered behind the photo, adding die cut birds on top and finally my title, journalling and ink spatters.

Thanks for stopping by!
Emily xx

How To Make 3 Cool Cards Using The Dovecraft Monochrome Goody Bag!

Helllooooo!

I have three projects to share today using one of the new 'Goody Bags' from Trimcraft. There are several to choose from and today my projects are from the Monochrome Goody Bag. There are instructions below each image.

Each pack has a selection of 6x6" and 8x8" patterned papers, 6 sturdy coloured 6x6" card blanks with envelopes, sentiments, buttons, flowers and gems, as well as a project sheet to get you started. They're perfect if you're no good at choosing co-ordinating supplies, if you need stash in a particular colour (like I needed some purple things last year so I bought a purple 'goody bag' - this was before I was a Trimmie!). They'd also make a great gift for someone who is just getting into cardmaking or scrapbooking. There are so many possibilities with these goody bags as I am about to show you.

1.       Cut a 14cm square from patterned paper and mount onto black cardstock and cut out, leaving a small border

2.       Position a star die in the centre and die cut.

3.       Cut two pieces of acetate just larger than the aperture, stick the edges together, leaving a gap.

4.       Fill the gap with sequins and then seal.

5.       Stick the pocket behind the aperture and then stick the whole thing to a 6x6” card blank.

6.       Die cut smaller stars from vellum, and ‘happy birthday’ from black cardstock and attach to the card.

7.       Finish with a die cut pennant and spatters of black and gold ink.

 1.       Cut a 14.5cm square from patterned paper. Ink the edges with black ink and then stick to a 6x6” card blank.

2.       Cut a 14cm square from a different sheet. Ink the edges with black ink and then stick to the larger square.

3.       Cut four 6.5, four 6 and four 5.5cm squares from patterned paper. Ink the edges and then stick a small, medium and large square together.

4.       Arrange the four layered squares onto the card and stick down.

5.       Draw around the acetate backing of the large ‘with love’ stamp onto vellum and cut out.

6.       Stamp the ‘with love’ stamp onto the vellum and mount onto patterned paper. Cut out, leaving a small border.

7.       Layer up paper flowers, stick a brad through the centre and through the ‘with love’ piece.

8.       Stick the whole thing to the card. 

1.       Cut a 14.5cm square from patterned paper and stick to a 6x6” card blank.

2.       Cut a 6.5cm square from patterned paper and mount onto black cardstock and cut out, leaving a thin border.

3.       Cut a length of silver thread and loop and stick in the centre of the square.

4.       Die cut two flourishes from black cardstock

5.       Die cut a dragonfly in black and silver and stick the silver on top of the black. Stick on top of the looped thread along with the black flourishes.

6.       Cut two 1.5cm wide strips of patterned paper, invert an end of both, stick to the centre of the card and trim off the ends.

7.       Stick the decorated small square to the centre right of the card.

8.       Finish with a sentiment, buttons and splatters of black ink.

I hope you've been inspired by my cards - I had a fun day making them whilst watching the Formula One!

Thanks for visiting!

Emily xx